The Cyclist’s Guide to Biking Colorado

Salida to Crested Butte (98 miles)

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Get your climbing legs ready for this nearly 100-mile jaunt from Salida into the heart of the Rocky Mountains and the Gunnison National Forest. It starts with a 10-mile slog that climbs more than 3,500 vertical feet to Monarch Pass at 11,315 feet. The next 40 miles are mostly downhill, but don’t be fooled. You’re heading due west, and the area’s head and crosswinds suck your energy and tap your will to keep moving. Stop for a bite, coffee, and water bottle refills in Gunnison before taking on the 30-mile grind up to Crested Butte Mountain. The final kick into town is only two miles, but with close to 100 miles in the legs already, you’ll feel every pedal stroke. The USA Pro riders tackled this one in a single day, but you can get the sights without all the miles. The 20-mile Adobe Park Loop heads west out of Salida to Poncha Springs. The mostly downhill second half of this ride loosely follows the Arkansas River back into Salida.

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Local Knowledge: Once you pass through Poncha Springs, keep your eyes pointed left for views of Mount Ouray, Shavano, and the Collegiate Peaks.